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July 18, 2013

FICAC files amended charges for Bakani and Dakuidreketi

Publish date/time: 18/07/2013 [12:52]An application to amend the charges for the former General Manager of the Native Land Trust Board Kalivati Bakani and former NLTB Director and Chairman of Vanua Development Corporation Keni Dakuidreketi was filed this morning in the Suva High Court.FICAC lawyer Vinsent Perera said the two men are now each charged with five counts of abuse of office.Perera said the charge details will be the same and there is no major shift, as it has been changed to a lesser complicated case.Defense Counsel representing Dakuidreketi, Wylie Clarke said this matter has been around since 2009 and this is the third time amendments to the charges have been made and the act of delaying is a serious matter.Clarke told the court that his client has spent a large amount of money so far due to the fundamental shift on the charges, and Dakuidreketi has limited resources. Clarke objected to the amendments made.Meanwhile, Bakani’s lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo said he needs time to see the amendments to the information. Presiding Judge Justice Janaka Bandara has asked the prosecution to file the amendments and defense to reply before he delivers a ruling on the 8th of next month.In the last sitting, former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase who was also charged with Bakani and Dakuidreketi was discharged.FICAC had filed a nolle prosequi and did not want to take his case further.Story by: Tokasa Rainima